The peso exchange is used when illegal drugs are sold in the United States, and the proceeds, in American dollars, are smuggled back into Mexico or Colombia, where they are exchanged for pesos at a discounted rate.

Peso-exchange businesses then use the dollars to buy products in the United States — in Datta's case, millions of dollars worth of perfume — and have them shipped to purchasers in Mexico or Colombia, where they are sold, earning additional revenue for the criminals involved.

A year in prison for every $1 million laundered? That sounds about right. Plus the judge ordered Datta to forfeit his property and $40 million.